The Americans, who went 1-4 in 2012, posted their second straight 2-1 victory, this time, topping Australia, the third-ranked team in the world, on Monday morning, August 8 in Rio. However, the USA holds the lead in the group on goal differential.
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“We have this grit, this resilience because we have previously failed, because we’ve been in unfavorable positions”, said Vittese. “Our goal now is to win the pool, and that all happens in that one game”.
Bam, coming off a hat trick in Wednesday’s victory over Japan, opened Thursday by scoring the first two goals. “Another three points tonight is important for us”.
Olympic field hockey fans Lori Maute, left, Jillian Maute, and Mary Jane Howe, all of Nanticoke, react after U.S. scores the first goal of the game against India at a party at Grotto Pizza in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday night. India face Argentina next on Saturday.
It didn’t take much time for Jill Witmer to score the fourth goal of the game, but the Cherry Blossoms followed up on a penalty corner attempt when Mie Nakashima snuck one into the corner of the cage. In the fourth period, Kasold doubled the Americans’ lead on a penalty corner when she deflected a Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.) drag flick into the cage. Briggs was credited with a dozen saves in the opening match for the U.S.
Veteran Wyoming Seminary field hockey coach Karen Klassner, right, watches the field hockey game between United States of America and India with her team on the campus in Kingston on Thursday night. A graduate of CB East and a product of Wake Forest University, this is Crandall’s third trip to the Summer Olympics and second as team captain.
“Games like this are statement games for us”, Bam said.
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The U.S. team, which is ranked No. 5 in the world, features former Wyoming Seminary teammates Kat Sharkey of Moosic and Kelsey Kolojejchick of Larksville, entered Thursday with a spot in Monday’s quarterfinals already assured, but with the top seed still up for grabs. They have to beat Argentina next and hope that Australia beat or draw with Japan.
